The best cheap gaming headsets

Not every gaming headset needs RGB lights, spatial audio, and a price tag that makes your wallet cry. If you just need a headset—something that works, lets you hear what’s going on, and lets your teammates hear you without sounding like you’re trapped in a tin can, you’re in the right place.

You could grab the first cheap headset you find on Amazon and hope for the best… or you could check out this list. We’ve tested over 500 pairs of headphones, so when we say these are the best gaming headsets for around $50, we mean it. They all perform well and won’t break on you unexpectedly.

Best overall: Logitech G435 Lightspeed

If you want a wireless gaming headset that’s light on your head and your wallet, the Logitech G435 Lightspeed delivers. It supports both USB dongle and Bluetooth connections, so you can use it across PC, PlayStation, and mobile. Despite its toy-like look and feel, it holds up surprisingly well in long gaming sessions thanks to its featherweight design and soft ear pads.

The beamforming mic isn’t as crisp as a boom mic, but it’s totally fine for voice chat. Battery life impresses too—over 24 hours in testing. Bonus points for sustainability: this headset is made from recycled materials and supports carbon-neutral manufacturing. It lacks wired input and true volume limiting for kids, but for casual or younger gamers who just need a headset that works, this one punches well above its price class.

• Read our full Logitech G435 Lightspeed review

Best features: Razer Kraken X

If you want core gaming features without the premium price tag, the Razer Kraken X nails the fundamentals. You get legit 7.1 surround sound (on Windows), a flexible boom mic with solid voice clarity, and universal 3.5mm compatibility—just plug in and go. It’s lightweight, glasses-friendly, and comfortable enough for hours of play.

There aren’t many frills, but what’s here works well. The on-ear volume dial and mute switch are simple but effective. You won’t get wireless freedom or replaceable ear pads, but at under $50, the Kraken X offers a full-featured wired experience that punches way above its price.

• Read our full Razer Kraken X review

Best wired: HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 keeps it simple, and that works in its favor. With broad 3.5mm compatibility, a comfy fit, and surprisingly decent sound for the price, this wired headset covers the basics for gaming, voice calls, and casual music. It even comes with a DTS Headphone:X license for spatial audio on Windows, adding more value to the package.

You won’t find premium materials or detachable parts here, and the fixed boom mic and tangle-prone cable might annoy some. Still, if you want something affordable that sounds good and works on nearly any device, the Cloud Stinger 2 checks all the right boxes.

• Read our full HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 review

Best budget: Turtle Beach Recon 70

If you just need a headset that works—no software, no LEDs, no drama—the Turtle Beach Recon 70 delivers exactly that. For under $40, you get a wired headset with decent comfort, wide platform compatibility, and a surprisingly accurate mic (even if it’s a little quiet). It’s a true plug-and-play option that’s easy to use across Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC.

Sound quality won’t impress bass lovers, and the isolation isn’t great, but for casual gamers or parents buying on a budget, it gets the job done. If “cheap and reliable” is your only criteria, the Recon 70 fits the bill.

• Read our full Turtle Beach Recon 70 review

Best wireless: SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

If you want a wireless headset that works with basically everything—including your Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Android phone—the Arctis 1 Wireless is hard to beat. It uses a USB-C dongle for lag-free audio and includes a USB-A adapter and 3.5mm cable for maximum compatibility. Toss in a 25-hour battery life and comfortable build; you’ve got serious value.

The mic is a bit quiet and the earcups are shallow, but those are small trade-offs for everything else you get at this price. It’s rare to find wireless that’s this flexible and sounds this clean under $100, making it an easy win for the Best Wireless pick under $50 when it goes on sale.

• Read our full SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless review

Astro A10 (Gen 2): Best for first-time gamers

The Astro A10 Gen 2 keeps things simple, making it a great starter headset, especially for younger or newer gamers. It’s lightweight, comfortable for smaller heads, and built to survive the occasional drop or desk slam. The bass-heavy sound helps explosions and in-game effects feel punchy, though it may overpower finer details in music or dialogue.

You won’t find wireless connectivity or EQ customization here, but you do get a detachable cable, flip-to-mute mic, and replaceable padding—all nice touches at this price. If you’re after something straightforward, sturdy, and easy to use, the A10 Gen 2 delivers.

• Read our full Astro A10 (Gen 2) review

The best cheap gaming headsets: Notable mentions

• HyperX Cloud Alpha ($69 at Amazon): It’s getting a little long in the tooth, but the Cloud Alpha is still one of the best-wired gaming headsets on the market. It sounds great and feels great, and it’s under $100.
• HyperX Cloud Stinger Core ($26 at Amazon): The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core is a great gaming headset for gamers on a budget who just want the essentials without any bells and whistles.
• Logitech G433 ($65 at Amazon): This is a decent headset that does its job well and is enjoyable to use but is best bought on sale.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 ($55 at Amazon): If you’re a fan of the style of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless, then you might also be interested in the updated, wired version of that same headset. It has the same level of comfort with a slightly updated design and same good build quality.
• Puro Sound Labs PuroGamer ($79 at Amazon): It’s a couple of years old, but there’s still no better gaming headset for kids on the market. It’s cheap, sounds good, and won’t ruin your child’s hearing—what’s not to love?
• Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 ($219 at Amazon): For just $59 USD, you get a solid wired gaming headset with a good microphone and comfortable fit that accommodates most head sizes, small and large. Things get a little wonky with this headset because the bass response is either too quiet or too loud without much in between.
• Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 ($100 at Amazon): It doesn’t work on as many platforms as the Arctis 1, but this $99 USD wireless gaming headset is a real contender for people moving between PC and either PlayStation or Xbox consoles. It’s got a great microphone, great battery life, and decent sound, plus it’s comfortable.

What do you need in a cheap gaming headset?

Gaming headsets on the cheaper end of the spectrum tend to have more limited feature sets. It’s hard to find something that really covers every base for under $60—this is also true of more typical headphones. There are just a few other things to consider for gaming. There are plenty of great options, but you’re going to need to get a little specific.

What kind of games do you play? If you’re really into multiplayer games like Fortnite or Call of Duty, finding something with surround sound and a microphone is probably a good idea. That’ll be easier if you’re looking for a PC peripheral, as features like surround sound often don’t make the leap to the console, even if the rest of the headset works.

Pay attention to whether a gaming headset is designed for a platform or merely compatible with it. Plenty of gaming headsets use 3.5mm connections and therefore work with most devices. That doesn’t mean they all work perfectly on those devices. Usually, your best bet is to look for something tailored to the platform you use. The odds are that you’ll have a better time with a gaming headset explicitly made for the console you own rather than one made for a PC that also works on PlayStation.

It’s also important to pay attention to the headset’s physical design. Does it look like a pair of headphones with a mic attached, or does it look like an LED-riddled UFO? Headsets that add many odd angles and edgy designs often use cheap plastic, especially at lower prices. Ones with straightforward metal frames are usually more durable.

I’ve always found that simpler designs often indicate higher quality—there’s less to distract from how a headset will sound. Ultimately, it’s probably better to keep the flashing lights and gaudy futuristic-looking tech in your games than on your head.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

The gaming headset space, much like many other parts of the audio industry, is rife with exaggerated language and gimmicky features that often don’t add much of anything to your experience. It’s easy to get caught up in the flashy lights and promises of immersive audio and bass so intense it’ll rupture your eardrums (in a good way, somehow), but most of that stuff flat-out doesn’t matter. That’s why we review gaming headsets and have lists like this. After testing and reviewing dozens of options, we know what audio features are important for different games and, maybe more importantly, which ones aren’t.

Frequently asked questions about cheap gaming headsets